Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership (BA/BPhil)

Concurrent Degree Program (Ba/BPhil)

The BA/BPhil concurrent degree is an integrated program for students who want an academic foundation in the arts alongside a leadership education grounded in reflection, practice and engagement.

This new concurrent pathway allows students to complete a Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership in four years, within a carefully sequenced program. Students pursue an Arts major while engaging deeply with leadership learning that focuses on ethics, collaboration, and navigating complexity across contexts.

This program is designed for motivated students who want to challenge themselves and who are prepared to commit fully from the outset.

Why combine a BA with the BPhil?

Leadership studies alongside an Arts degree

The BA/BPhil allows students to pursue an Arts major while also completing the core courses of the BPhil.

The BPhil’s approach to leadership is not tied to a single field or profession - it is interdisciplinary. Courses draw on insights from many areas and challenge you to anticipate change, work across differences, and act with intention in community and organizational settings.

The concurrent degree combines this interdisciplinary approach to leadership with in-depth knowledge gained in a specific field of study that matters to you, within Arts.

Internships as a core part of the degree

The BPhil in Interdisciplinary Leadership is known for its internship program, which is a defining part of the degree rather than an add-on. Students complete two substantial, full-credit internships that are intentionally integrated into their academic learning and leadership development.

These include a Canadian Internship and an International Internship, each supported by structured preparation, mentorship and guided reflection. Together, they challenge students to apply ideas from the classroom, think critically about leadership across different settings and communities, and gain meaningful experience in areas aligned with their interests.

For students in the BA/BPhil concurrent degree, these internships are a central reason to combine an Arts degree with leadership studies, benefitting from sustained experiential education through the School of Leadership Studies.

Part of the School of Leadership Studies community

BA/BPhil students are part of the School of Leadership Studies learning community and take part in the School’s academic and community life. While the program structure differs from the traditional BPhil cohort model, students engage with the SLS faculty, courses, events and experiential opportunities and are encouraged to build connections across the School. Explore community life.

Program at a glance

• Completion of all Bachelor of Arts requirements, including first-year distribution requirements and an Arts major
• Completion of all Bachelor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Leadership core courses
• Two internships through the School of Leadership Studies, one within Canada and one international, each worth twelve-credits. Internships are completed in the summers of years 1 and 3
• A minimum of 153 credit hours

Academic advising is essential to navigate sequencing, Arts requirements, and the leadership curriculum. BA/BPhil students are encouraged to meet with both of their advisors prior to the start of the academic year.

Flexible pathways

• Up to 12 students are admitted to the concurrent program each year
• Students in the (3-year accelerated) BPhil program may choose to add a fourth year to expand their required minor into a complete BA, subject to course planning and Arts requirements
• Arts students may also choose to complete a minor, or a 15 credit hour certificate, in Leadership Studies

These pathways allow students to shape an academic experience that is rich in experiential opportunities, and more fully reflects the range of their interests and capacities.